Couple Weeks In

I have been in California for about two weeks now and it is still hard to believe that I am here. There is constantly something going on at all times. Early today I was able to go the Fresno Temple with my zone and it was so much fun. It really is smaller than the Columbus temple though, if not the same size. Something I really want to share with everyone though is what happened last night. In one of my wards there is a Family Home Evening (family night) every other week that a member hosts at their home. The missionaries always teach the lesson though, because there are always investigators and recent converts present. There are many members present as well. it is just a blast, but Sister West made me teach the lesson since I am new to the area. Let me tell you, I am so grateful that I had that opportunity. It was so spiritual that there was no dry eye, including myself. I talked about my favorite verse, which is Alma 32:21, and my conversion story. We discussed what the scripture meant to others and about knowledge in everyday life. We then played Gospel Charades and related it back to the scripture verse. It was spectacular and of course there was food afterwards. One thing I love about my area is that there is always food. We have a dinner appointment every night and sometimes a lunch appointment. Members often give us snacks or treats when we visit them too. Do not worry, I am being OVER fed if anything.

For those who are wondering, California is cold at the moment. I wear a short sleeve, because I am from Winter Ohio, but everyone is bundled up. I think it is funny. I do get cold, but it does not bother me much. Have I mentioned how rich my area is? It baffles me. I have only seen houses this big and fancy on TV. I DO NOT GET IT! Also, who knew that there so many different kinds of Palm Trees? I did not, but I am keeping track and learning.

I also suppose some of you are wondering how the missionary work is going? Well it is flourishing. We do not have a baptismal date set yet for anyone (hopefully we will tonight), but we have four progressing investigators and four referrals. Lately, I have learned that work through the members works better than anything. I feel all we teach as missionaries to the members is "social conversion." I mean really, who is going to join a church if they do not know anyone or have no friends? It is also the most appropriate way for missionaries to meet new people. We do not knock doors here unless we know who lives there already. Simple as that. Anyways, all of our investigators are ready for the waters of baptism, they have just yet to pick a date. The field is literally white here and ready to be harvested. A couple of people went out looking for US. They were so thirsty for the gospel that they went looking for it and guess what? They found it. "Ask, and ye shall receive, knock and it shall be opened unto you" [D&C 4:7]

Brothers and Sisters, I want to share my testimony with you all. I know that Jesus Christ sacrificed so much for everyone of us because He loves us. I know that He is my Savior and Redeemer and He lives. He is there always and the Holy Ghost can testify to you His presence and love. I know that there is a plan for everyone and God will put things in our lives to help us. Just last night we witnessed this first hand. We had a set appointment with an investigator, but we had another appointment that was iffy scheduled at the same time with a Less-Active/Part member Family. We planned to go the set appointment, but last minute it fell through because of a family emergency. We went to the other appointment that was questionable and we were let in. That is special because no one is able to get through the door of that home. We found out that she let us in because her husband, who is not a member, was running late from work and would not be home for another hour or so. What are the chances? Heavenly Father wanted us there at that home, at that time, and I truly believe that. She set up an appointment for us to return and teach her husband. I know this church is true and that the Gospel was restored to its full greatness by Joseph Smith who I also believe to be a true prophet. I hope that everyone has been able to feel the spirit and I hope to change the lives of many. I am here to serve and that is what I plan to do. I say these things in the name of my Savior, Jesus Christ, Amen.

Sister Smith
1 Nephi 8: 11-12

First Week Down

It has been about a week in the California Mission field and I can say that it is not easy, but I love it. No matter what you do in life, there are pros and cons. California is greatly different then Ohio and it is a whole different culture. I am adjusting to the life style here as well as the missionary life style. It is a very strict mission. Every morning as soon as we wake up at 6:15 we have to run twenty minutes, plank for two, and exercise for ten. They want us to be able to run two miles in twenty minutes, it used to be three miles though. Another fun fact, since California is in a drought, our mission is very water cautious so yay for five minute showers! I have learned that my mission is literally one of the highest baptizing missions in the country. Last year there were over a thousand baptisms. Our goal for the year is *drumroll* 1,342. Crazy, right? Anything is possible though if you give it your best.

I absolutely love my companion Sister West. She is super sweet and constantly cheery. I adore her and she helps me a ton. The members in our area are fantastic. Oh, did I mention that I am in two wards? It is a joint ward, just like Beavercreek and Xenia back home. I am in the Woodward Park and Alluvial Wards. There are incredible people in this town and I am so grateful for them all. I do not have to many stories or pictures to share for the fact that I am more busy than ever. I am just amazed by the testimonies that I have heard. I feel the strongest are from the recent converts and the investigators. They are my favorite people to talk to honestly. I love everyone though and miss home sometimes. Just know that Heavenly Father loves all of us and He sacrificed so much for us. I can promise that if you walk by faith, He will guide you. There are no coincidences. He has a plan for all of us, but it is our decision to follow it or not. I know that no matter what choice or path someone picks, God will always love us. I know that for a fact and I say these things in the name of the son, Jesus Christ, Amen.

Sister Smith

Cali here I come

The last week of the MTC was the best week. I am blown away by the many miracles I have experienced. Before I get carried away with the Spirit, I must start at the beginning of the week. Last Tuesday I was able to go to the Provo Temple with my district and it was stunning. I personally think it is prettier then the Columbus Temple, but they both have the same Spiritual atmosphere. I loved it and all of the beauty that it holds. I get to go later today as well! The day after was brutal for all of us though. One of our Elders was honorably discharged and sent home to serve there. He had certain mental problems that he could not cope with from being away from home. He is doing well and we all miss him. That event is what set the balance off, literally. Our Elders then became a trio and that was not easy for them because it doubled EVERYTHING. The sisters and I decided to ask all of them for blessings, which a special prayer given through the power of the priesthood, and it brightened their spirits to be able to exercise their power. It made the district a family again. My district leader gave me the blessing and it made me cry. It gave me all of the answers and support that I needed right then, I wish I had my companion record it.

This past Sunday was a normal Sunday so it was almost like our first Sabbath in the MTC. In Sacrament meeting, which is only with our branch so maybe 20 people tops, I had to give a talk. President Menlove just called me up and so I had to wing the whole thing. It was crazy how calm I was and how well it went. A bunch of people came up to me and said it was the best talk. Not to mention it made my whole district tear up. It was totally awesome! That's the Holy Spirit for you :) Fast forwarding to later that day, our district went outside and we all just bore our testimonies. There was no dry eye. We all hugged each other, within the rules, and sobbed. We knew that our time together was coming to an end. It was a blessing to walk on the temple grounds with them. Always stunning no matter the time of day. 

Alright, miracles are everywhere and everyday, but I have been able to notice them more than ever. My companion and I had a crazy last lesson with our Progressing Investigator. The plan was to go in and for me to share my testimony with her and then leave. We wanted it to be short and powerful. Well, it was powerful, but not short. I did share my testimony with her and so did my companion, but then we let the Spirit talk to her. The lesson was about 40 minutes long and most of it was in silence. I asked her to pray right then and there with us to know if what we had taught her was true. We all knelt down and she started to pray. A few words in and she broke down in tears. It then made us tear up. After the prayer we sat in more silence and then she was fidgeting with the Book of Mormon. It fell open and she read a verse...There were more waterworks pouring from this girls soul. She had read Mosiah 27:29. We watched her receive her answer moments after she had asked her question. She knew that it was true and the spirit was so incredibly strong at that moment that we left. Our other Investigator, Eric, continued to meet with us and enthusiastically made the commitment to be baptized. He believes with all his might in the Book of Mormon and Joseph Smith. Those lessons were so amazing that I cannot begin to describe them. That is an awesome guy and his faith is strong. I plan to check up on him when I am in California. Oh, a huge part of my week was a certain patch that I was going through and it fixed itself by my prayers. Many people came to my "rescue" and I am so grateful the charity of man. I do not want to dwell on it much, but it was incredible. 

Last night was miraculous and spiritual all by itself. Our district went outside for study and we sang Hymns into the night sky. Many missionaries walking by either stopped to listen or joined in. It was so humbling to feel a part of an unbreakable unit. Half of our district left this morning for their mission and we wanted a lasting memory of our time together. I believe that was it. Our boys cannot sing the best, but they sang with their soul and it does not get better than that. After we retired to our dorms, Sister Brentlinger (my companion) and Sister Kakuschke grabbed their Hymnals and sang in the girls bathroom for about an hour. The Spirit on our floor was so uplifting that I had no sorrow about the departure of my friends that I have grown so close to. I decided to finish my mission with Sister Brentlinger out so I got up with her at 2:40 in the morning, helped her get ready, carry luggage down from the fifth floor, and walk her to the travel office across campus. The best part of that mission is that we helped other girls carry their bags down the stairs. One sister looked me in the eyes and said "Thank you for being so Charitable. I hope to be as kind as you." I almost cried and hugged her. It was hard seeing off my Elders and Companion, but the lack of sleep was worth it. I love them with all my being and I am proud to call them my Brothers and Sisters of Zion. I have a true testimony that this Gospel is true. There is no doubt in my mind that this was the right choice, not only to serve a mission, but to live in these latter days. I have seen the power of prayer AND music. It can invite the spirit in an instant. I pray that all that read this can fell the love that Father has for all of us and that we will never forget. Keep your head high and your hopes higher. I love you and have seen miracles with my own eyes. God will never misguide you if you choose to follow Him.  I say these things in the name of our Savior, Jesus Christ, Amen.

Sister Smith
1 Nephi 3:7

First week at MTC

I have survived my first week at the Provo MTC much more boldly than I had expected. My experiences here are so incredible and uplifting. I am constantly learning and developing my faith. Oddly enough, I do not feel overwhelmed with the Spirit as much as before because it is literally always with me. I being able to grow closer to my Heavenly Father. I have had a few tough times, but that is because my weak points are without a doubt more magnified when dedicating every waking moment to the Lord. Every moment of our day is planned for us and it exhausting, but well worth it. I am constantly learning, studying, or teaching. I absolutely love my companion. She is so sweet and rad. Her name is Sister Brentlinger and she is from Georgia, sadly enough she is called to serve in another district after we depart the Missionary Training Center. Now my district on the other hand is wild as a group. District is basically the "team" or "group" that we are always studying and working with. There are three other companionship's besides my own, two sisters and two elders all together. To highlight a few main points so far, this past Sunday was spiritually enriching by far. It was Fast Sunday, where once a month we do not eat for two consecutive meals and pay that money to the Lord and pray with real intent about something specific. Fast Sundays in the MTC are really specially because we have a mission conference for everyone on campus. It was amazing. I cried during the talks and testimonies that people shared. One testimony was from the first missionary to ever come from Syria. His testimony talked about the hardships that he went through while in his country because he was LDS. His whole family converted to the church a few years ago and the nation took his father away for it. He talked about the many struggles they went through for their faith, but they continued to be obedient to what they believed. Because of their faith, they witnessed many unbelievable miracles within their family and it brought tears to every single missionary's eyes in that conference center. That Elder's testimony is a true representation of faith in the Lord and I dearly admire that. Every time I pass him on campus I feel overwhelmed with the Spirit. There was another testimony about a sister missionary that served a few years back, she had no father and her mother was ill yet she decided to serve the Lord for eighteen months. Her mother was expected to pass within the eighteen months while she'd serve, and yet her mother supported and wanted her to go and do the Lord's work. Her mother passed six months before she was to return home, and was able to fly out for her funeral, but she then made the choice to go back to finish her service. It was a true testimony of dedication and  of one who could persevere. Later that day my district and I were able to walk around the Provo, Utah temple. It was magnificent and true beauty. Words are indescribable of how I feel when I am at the temple, whether it is inside or outside. Yesterday my companion and I were able to teach our first real investigators. It was almost like a practice for what it would be like out in the field. Yet they were actually interested in what we had to say. The first one was rather distracted during our lesson, and she thought it was humorousness to mock us a bit. The lesson was pretty short so that's about all that happened. Our second investigator of the day which happened in the evening, was a miracle. His name is Eric, and he was truly interested to learn about the Gospel. My companion and I were a bit unsure of what we wanted to teach him exactly, so we prayed before hand of the things that we needed to speak of. And it came true!!!!! We knew exactly what Eric was looking for and what he needed to hear at that time. And we were able to feel the Spirit and know that he could recognize it as well. It was by far one of the best experiences that I have ever lived. After the lesson my companion and I literally jumped for joy and was smiling like bafoons. That feeling that I had felt in that moment is a feeling that I never want to forget and is my goal to continue to reach throughout my mission and my life. The feeling of accomplishment in knowing that you brought another one of God's sheep closer to Him. The feeling of helping someone recognize their true potential of a child of the Lord. We are so excited to continue to teach Eric and to see his progression in the Gospel and towards the light.

Today is my first Preparation Day, that is a day where missionaries are able to do laundry, and write home and pretty much have time to prepare themselves for the rest of the week. The thing that I am most excited for today, besides reading my email, is being able to go to the temple with my district and participate in the sacred ordinances performed there. I absolutely love my district and every single one of their testimonies. They are all wonderful inspirations to me in their own unique way. My lovely companion teaches me all the time and helps me better understand certain aspects of the Gospel. Every time I have a question I turn to her and she always has an answer. She is an individual that I deeply admire because of the way that she views things. She is very selfish in her own unselfish way. For example she likes to provide service to make her feel better. The other sister companionship in our district, Sister Kakuschke and Sister Clifton, are very querky in a very special way. The four of us together are a hoot, and trouble!!!! The elders on the other hand are very interesting creatures. Are zone leaders, Elder Medeiros and Elder Mickelson, are often either timidly quiet or the center of our conversation. Then there is Elder Vance and Elder Harris, oh where do I begin. I don't even know what to say, there is soooo much about those two. Pretty much in a nut shell Elder Harris is the clown, and Elder Vance is the quiet kid in the corner, literally. Each one of these servants of our King has a tremendous testimony that makes each of them glow. I wouldn't dream of being with any other missionaries while growing in the MTC. There is a reason I was put with them, and I'm pretty sure I'm quickly finding out what it is.

My companion recently had the brilliant idea to do service for our fellow district men. We wanted to be able to truly love them in and out so we have been secretly writing a letter to each of them the past few days and to see their reactions is worth it. I love every minute out here, even if every minute is planned, and I know for a fact that I am suppose to be out here doing what The Lord wants me to do. It is a true blessing in itself to be the best disciple of Christ that I can be. I have a true testimony of my faith in Jesus Christ and all of the wonderful blessings that come from it. I have learned that no matter where I am or what I do that Heavenly Father will always be there and will love me for who I am. We are all His children, and He knows each and everyone of us personally. I know that my Redeemer Lives! I know that He restored the Gospel to the earth and that it was the right time. I know that I was chosen to be in the latter-days to help His lost sheep find their way back home. I love my Heavenly Father and my beloved brother, Jesus Christ, with all my heart and I will do anything for them. That is why I am here on my mission, I am here to serve them and make them proud. I say these things in the name of the Son, our Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.

3 Nephi 28:10